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Deleting data from an external hard drive on a Mac can be a necessity for many reasons. Whether you’re looking to reclaim storage space, dispose of old files, or simply organize your data, it’s important to know the best methods for deleting data from your external hard drive. In this blog post, we will explore different methods to delete data from an external hard drive on a Mac and provide step-by-step instructions for each method.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before you begin deleting data from your external hard drive on a Mac, there are a few things you’ll need:
1. Mac computer with macOS operating system.
2. External hard drive connected to your Mac.
3. Administrator access to your Mac.
What Requires Your Focus?
When deleting data from an external hard drive on a Mac, there are a few key factors to consider:
1. Backup: Before you proceed with deleting any data from your external hard drive, it’s crucial to back up any important files that you may need in the future. This ensures that you don’t accidentally delete any important data or files.
2. Permissions: Depending on your user account settings and the permissions assigned to the files and folders on your external hard drive, you may need to provide administrative access or enter your password to proceed with deleting certain files or folders.
3. Double-check: It’s always a good practice to double-check the files and folders you are deleting to make sure you don’t accidentally delete something important. Take your time and review the files before proceeding with deletion.
Method 1: How to Delete Data From External Hard Drive Mac using Finder
Deleting data from an external hard drive on a Mac using Finder is a straightforward method. There are multiple ways to delete files and folders using Finder, and we will cover the most common method here:
Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to your Mac.
Step 2: Open a Finder window by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or by pressing Command + Space and searching for "Finder".
Step 3: In the Finder window, locate your external hard drive under the "Devices" section in the left sidebar.
Step 4: Navigate to the files or folders you want to delete on your external hard drive.
Step 5: Right-click on the file or folder you want to delete, and select "Move to Trash" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select the file or folder and press Command + Delete on your keyboard.
Step 6: To permanently delete the files or folders from your external hard drive, open the Trash by clicking on the Trash icon in the Dock.
Step 7: In the Trash, select the files or folders you want to permanently delete, right-click, and choose "Delete Immediately" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select the files or folders and press Option + Command + Delete on your keyboard.
Step 8: Confirm the deletion when prompted.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Easy and straightforward process to delete files and folders. | 1. Files and folders are moved to Trash, which requires an additional step to permanently delete. |
| 2. Allows easy selection of multiple files and folders for deletion. | 2. Deleted files and folders can still be recovered from Trash until it is emptied. |
| 3. Provides visual confirmation of deleted files and folders in the Trash. | 3. May require additional steps to permanently delete files and folders. |
Method 2: How to Delete Data From External Hard Drive Mac via Terminal
Using Terminal to delete data from an external hard drive on a Mac offers a more advanced method for experienced users. It allows for precise control and automation in the deletion process. Follow the steps below to delete data via Terminal:
Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to your Mac.
Step 2: Open Terminal by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
Step 3: In the Terminal window, type "cd /Volumes" and press Enter. This will take you to the Volumes directory where your external hard drive is located.
Step 4: Type "ls" and press Enter to list the contents of the Volumes directory. Identify the name of your external hard drive.
Step 5: Type "cd [external hard drive name]" and press Enter. Replace "[external hard drive name]" with the actual name of your external hard drive.
Step 6: Type "ls" and press Enter to list the contents of your external hard drive.
Step 7: Use the "rm" command followed by the file or folder path to delete specific files or folders. For example, to delete a file named "example.txt" located in the root directory, type "rm example.txt" and press Enter.
Step 8: Use the "rm -r" command followed by the folder path to delete entire folders and their contents. For example, to delete a folder named "folder" located in the root directory, type "rm -r folder" and press Enter.
Step 9: Confirm the deletion when prompted.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides advanced control and automation in the deletion process. | 1. Requires familiarity with Terminal commands and syntax. |
| 2. Allows for precise deletion of specific files or entire folders. | 2. Deleted files and folders are not moved to Trash and are permanently deleted. |
| 3. Can be used to execute batch deletions using scripting or automation. | 3. No visual confirmation or easy recovery process. |
Method 3: How to Delete Data From External Hard Drive Mac using Third-Party Applications
There are several third-party applications available that offer intuitive and feature-rich solutions for managing and deleting data from external hard drives on a Mac. One popular application is "CleanMyMac X". Follow the steps below to delete data using CleanMyMac X:
Step 1: Install and launch CleanMyMac X on your Mac.
Step 2: Connect your external hard drive to your Mac.
Step 3: In CleanMyMac X, click on the "Large & Old Files" module in the sidebar.
Step 4: Select your external hard drive from the list of available drives.
Step 5: CleanMyMac X will scan your external hard drive and present a list of large and old files.
Step 6: Review the files and select the ones you want to delete.
Step 7: Click on the "Remove" button to delete the selected files.
Step 8: Confirm the deletion when prompted.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides a user-friendly interface for scanning and deleting large and old files. | 1. Requires installation of third-party application. |
| 2. Offers additional features for optimizing storage and improving Mac performance. | 2. Some features may be limited in the free version of the application. |
| 3. Allows for targeted deletion of large and unnecessary files. | 3. May not provide as much control or customization options as manual methods. |
Method 4: How to Delete Data From External Hard Drive Mac using Disk Utility
Disk Utility is a built-in application on Mac that allows users to manage and delete data from external hard drives. Follow the steps below to delete data using Disk Utility:
Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to your Mac.
Step 2: Open Disk Utility by going to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Step 3: In Disk Utility, select your external hard drive from the list of available drives in the sidebar.
Step 4: Click on the "Erase" tab in the toolbar.
Step 5: Choose a format for your external hard drive. If you only want to delete the data and keep using the drive, select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)". If you want to completely erase the drive, select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted)".
Step 6: Give a name to your drive and click on the "Erase" button. This will erase all the data on your external hard drive.
Step 7: Confirm the erasure when prompted.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Built-in application that comes pre-installed on Mac. | 1. Erases all data on the external hard drive, including partitions and volumes. |
| 2. Provides multiple formatting options based on your requirements. | 2. Permanently deletes all data and is irreversible without data recovery tools. |
| 3. Can be used to securely erase data by choosing encrypted formatting options. | 3. Formatting the drive will remove all existing partitions and volumes. |
Why Can’t I Delete Data From External Hard Drive Mac
There can be several reasons why you might encounter difficulties in deleting data from an external hard drive on your Mac. Let’s explore some common reasons and their possible fixes:
1. Files or folders are in use: If a file or folder is currently in use by another application or process, it cannot be deleted. To fix this, make sure to close any open files or applications that may be using the files or folders you want to delete.
2. Insufficient permissions: If you don’t have sufficient permissions to delete certain files or folders, you may need to provide administrative access. Right-click on the file or folder, select "Get Info", and adjust the permissions under the "Sharing & Permissions" section.
3. File system errors: Sometimes, file system errors can prevent the deletion of files or folders. Use Disk Utility to check and repair any file system errors on your external hard drive. Open Disk Utility, select your external hard drive, and click on the "First Aid" tab. Click on "Run" to start the repair process.
Implications and Recommendations
When deleting data from an external hard drive on a Mac, it’s important to consider the following implications and make the following recommendations:
1. Backup your data: Always make a backup of your important files before deleting them from an external hard drive. This ensures that you have a copy of your data in case of accidental deletion or any unforeseen circumstances.
2. Empty the Trash: Whenever you delete files or folders, make sure to empty the Trash on your Mac. This will free up the storage space on your Mac and permanently delete the files or folders.
3. Data recovery: If you accidentally delete important files from your external hard drive, you can use data recovery software to attempt to recover them. However, the success of data recovery largely depends on various factors, such as the extent of data overwriting and the condition of the deleted files.
5 FAQs about Deleting Data from an External Hard Drive on Mac
Q1: Is it safe to delete data from an external hard drive on Mac?
A: Yes, it is safe to delete data from an external hard drive on Mac. However, always double-check the files and folders you are deleting to make sure you don’t accidentally delete something important.
Q2: Can I recover files after deleting them from an external hard drive on Mac?
A: The possibility of recovering deleted files from an external hard drive on Mac depends on various factors, such as the method of deletion, the duration since deletion, and the condition of the deleted files. Data recovery software can sometimes help in recovering deleted files.
Q3: Can I delete files from an external hard drive on Mac using Command + Delete?
A: Yes, you can delete files from an external hard drive on Mac using the Command + Delete shortcut. This will move the files to the Trash, from where you can either restore them or permanently delete them.
Q4: How can I avoid accidentally deleting important files from an external hard drive on Mac?
A: To avoid accidentally deleting important files, make sure to double-check the files and folders you are deleting. Consider creating a backup of the important files before proceeding with deletion.
Q5: Can I delete only selected files from an external hard drive on Mac?
A: Yes, you can delete only selected files from an external hard drive on Mac. Use Finder, Terminal, or third-party applications to select and delete specific files or folders.
Final Words
Deleting data from an external hard drive on a Mac may seem like a simple task, but it is important to approach it with caution and follow the recommended methods and precautions. Whether you choose to use Finder, Terminal, third-party applications, or Disk Utility, always remember to back up your important files and carefully review the files and folders before proceeding with deletion. By following the methods and recommendations mentioned in this blog post, you can safely and efficiently delete data from your external hard drive on a Mac.